Method of electrocleaning



Patented Jan. 17, 1933 PATENT OFFICE FREDERICK CONLIN, OF NEW YORK, N.Y.

METHOD or ELEGTROGLEANING No Drawing. Original application filed March23, 1928, Serial No. 264,270. Divided. and. this application filed July23, 1929.

This invention relates to methods of electro-cleaning and tocompositions for use therein.

In my Patent No. 1,545,942, granted July 14, 1925, I have described andclaimed a brush for use in electroplating. In my work makinguse of abrush in the electroplating and electro-cleaning of metals, I havediscovered that improved results can be obtained in using theelectrolyte in the form of a viscous composition, which is preferablycomposed of a colloidal or emulsoid solution carrying theelectr'o-cleaning compound, to be electrolysed.

My composition is preferably prepared for commerce in a stifi condition,and is preferably made up so as to be non-caking and easily soluble inwater.

In making up my composition, the electrocleaning compound is mixed witha viscous water-soluble or miscible constituent, or constituents, ofwhich there are a large variety suitable for the purpose. Theelectroclaning compound is preferably added to the viscous carrier inconcentrated form, and, in the form prepared for commerce, the viscousconstituent is sufliciently thick to give a composition of approximatelythe consistency o ordinary plastic shoe-blacking. The viscousconstituent may be varied to suit the nature of theelectrocleaningcompound added theret0.

My composition is accordingly compact in volume, easy to pack, does notleak, and in using the same, there is a freedom from spatterlng orspilling, which results in less loss and inconvenience from dripping andless mess as compared with the use of the ordinary fluid solutions.

The invention further provides an im proved process of electro-cleaningwhereby thecleaning of surfaces may be effected more 7 gapidly,thoroughly and neatly than heretoore. 1 The invention further provides anovel composition for electro-cleaning.

According to my present invention, I mix or suspend the electrocleaningcompound with a suitable viscous constituent or-constituents, and takesome of it up in or on Serial No. 380,464.

the applying implement carrying a suitable electrode. I prefer to use asthe applying implement, a brush, dauber or the like, containing asuitable electrode, and work the composition into the brush up to andaround the anode contained therein, prior to applying the brush, dauberor the like to the object to be cleaned.

The surface to be cleaned may first undergo such other preparatoryprocesses as may be 6) necessary or desired, and then the cleaning isefiected by Wiping or'rubbing the surface to he plated with the applyingimplement carrying the composition. he electrode of the applyingimplement is connected in circuit before use and the object to becleaned is also either connected in the circuit, or to a ground circuitif not already grounded, usually as cathode.

I may and preferably do use currentdensi-f ties at which considerablehydrogen is liberated at the cathode, or oxygen at the anode as mayserve best in the cleaning or stripping operation.

I also find that with my electrocleaning composition the lading of theair with objectionable vapors such as are given off by f liquidelectro-cleaning baths is imperceptible, as the bubbles formed by thegases resulting from the dissociation of the electrolyte are held by thesolution while under action on the surface being electro-cleaned,forming a soapy residue on the surface being cleaned.

It is convenient to use an already prepared composition in carrying onelectro-cleaning according to the present invention, though theingredients may be mixed in or on the applying implement, or otherwise,at the time of use. It is also convenient to manu facture and distributemy new composition in the form'of a firm or stiff composition, about ofthe consistency of ordinary plastic shoe blacking. This does not leakand is readily packed and shipped in slip cover containers. This alsoprovides for the retention of a homogeneous distribution of theingredients in the mixture, after mixing and standing, and is also aconvenient form for use with an applying implement. Moreover, the 1result is assured that there is always a uniformity of the electrolyte,as the applying implement receives a full supply of a uniformelectrolyte each timev that it is replenished from the container. In theuse of my composition in its preferred form, the brush or the like isfirst dipped in water and afterward rubbed over the surface of thecomposition of stiff consistency, the water dissolving or diluting thecomposition and the bristles working the composition to a creamy orpaint-like consistency, which can be used without dripping the viscouscharacter of the solution making the solution in the interstices moreresistant to expulsion by pressure upon the brush such as is used inapplying the brush to an article to be cleaned.

- Paucity of the solution in the interstices of the brush or implement,with consequent increase of resistance and heating within the implementis avoided. Moreover, the character of the solution enables theelectro-cleaning to be carried out overhead, and otherwise, withsubstantially the same facility and neatness as the application of acoat of paint to a surface with a paint brush.

In the case of prepared compositions, it is desirable to prevent ithardening on standing. In many cases it will be desirableto add anon-drying or moderately hydroscopic substance, to prevent hardening andfor this purpose I may use any suitable substance I prefer to use asugar or sugar solution or honey, and more particularly cane-sugar orother syrup.

I may also make use of jellies, such as obtained from fruits, andcontaining sugars, and obtain at once a sugar-containing colloid as theviscous constituent.

The viscous constituent is preferably a colloid or emulsoid havinadhesive properties. Gelatines of animal or vegetable origin, such asobtained from animal tissues, hides, etc. and from sea-weed such asIrish moss, are examples.

In forming my composition, using gelatine as the colloid, I dissolve thegelatine in about double its weight of water and add an amount of thehygroscopic substance which will prevent hardening on shelf-standing.The amount of hygroscopic substance is variable, depending on thesubstance and the amount of water already contained therein. In the caseof cane syrup added to gelatine solution, I preferably use an amountequal to or somewhat more than is equal to the weight of the gelatinesolution. 3

To this mixture I then add the electrocleaning compound (convenientlyone of the, prepared mixtures sold by chemical and elec-@ troplatingsupply houses), until the composi 'tion stifi'ens up to the desiredconsistency,

as stated above,

the preferred consistency,

that of ordinary being firm or stiff, about plastic shoe-blacking.

In carryingout electrolytic cleaning, I

Gelatine 2 ounces (weight) Cane syrup 9 ounces (weight) Water 4 ounces(weight) Cleaning acids or salts 'Enough to give a stiff consistency.

A mode of procedure in carrying out electro-cleaning with saidcomposition, is to dip a brush, dauber or other applying implement (suchfor example as that shownin my Patent N 0. 1,545,942) into water andthen into the stiff composition. The applying implement is worked aroundover the surface of the composition, which is preferably taken up as acreamy consistency, either by having the composition at such consistencyor reducing it to such consistency with water.

The applying implement is connected in circuit and wiped or rubbed overthe surface to be cleaned, the current releasing hydrogen on the metalsurface, (or oxygen, as heretofore explained) and the combined action ofhydrogen bubbles and mechanical action of the applying implement, effectcleaning much more rapidly and thoroughly than is carried out in a bath.Either direct or alternating current may be used in the cleaning processor method. Using the above electro-cleaning composition, a potentialdifference of 15 volts more or less between the electrodes and a currentdensity of 2 amperes more or less per square inch gives good results.

Moreover, I may also add a compound having a chemical cleaning action,as for example, an ammonium salt, and thereby obtain a combinedmechanical, electro-chemical and chemical cleaning action.

By using a composition comprising a viscous constituent as the carrierof the acid (or other compound) cleaning may be readily carried outneatly on articles in situ, dropping of corrosive liquid being avoidedby exercising reasonable care. Dispersion of corrosive vapors to theatmosphere is also much diminished.

This application is a division of my appgigcgition Serial No. 264,270,filed March 23,

Various other forms of the composition than the specific composition setforth herein I may be used, without departing from the idea ofInvention, and the process may also be practiced in other forms thanthat herein specifically set forth.

What is claimed is:

1. A method of electrocleaning by means of an applying implement in theform of a brush in which the solution is held in interstices betweenflexible bristles or filaments and through which current is passed froman electrode in the brush, comprising loading the brush with a viscouselectrocleaning solution containing a soluble electrolyte of theelectro-cleaner type which releases gas at v the surface to be cleaned,and an amount of viscous constituent to render the solution resistant toexpulsion from the said interstices when pressure is applied to thesolutionladen brush in the act of applying the same, and passing currentfrom the said electrode in the brush to a surface to be cleaned whilesaid solution-laden brush is rubbed thereon.

2. A method of electrocleaning by means of an applying implement in theform of a brush in which the solution is held in interstices betweenflexible bristles or filaments and through which current is passed froman electrode in the brush, comprising loading I the brush with a viscouselectrocleaning solution containing a soluble electrolyte of theelectro-cleaner type which releases gas at the surface to be cleaned,and an amount of colloidal constituent to render the solution resistantto expulsion from the said interstices when pressure is applied to thesolution laden brush in the act of applying the same, and passingcurrent from the said electrode in the brush to a surface to be cleanedwhile said solution-laden brush is rubbed thereon.

3. A method of electrocleaning by means of an applying implement in theform of a brush in which the solution is held in interstices betweenflexible bristles or filaments and through which current is passed froman electrode in the brush, comprising loading the brush with a viscouselectrocleaning solution containing a soluble electrolyte of theelectro-cleaner type which releases gas at the surface to be cleaned,and an amount of gelatine to render the solution resistant to expulsionfrom the said interstices when pressure is applied. to thesolution-laden brush in the act of applying the same, and passingcurrent from the said electrode in the brush to a surface to be cleanedWhile said solution-laden brush is rubbed thereon.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto signed my name.

FREDERICK CONLIN.

